2/23 Recap: Cat trick leads Attack

Written By Kris Baker on Sunday, February 24, 2013 | 2/24/2013

Dan Catenacci put the Owen Sound Attack on his back Saturday, scoring his second career hat trick and adding a pair of assists to lead his club to a 6-2 victory over Saginaw. The production began in the game's seventh minute when Catenacci scored his third shorthanded goal in a span of 15 days to give the Attack a 1-0 lead. The five-point night, Catenacci's second of the season and third of his OHL career, elevates his totals to 34 goals and a team-best 72 points through 59 games heading into Thursday's tilt at Barrie. Justin Kea finished minus-two for the Spirit, who next take on Sarnia on Saturday.

Andrey Makarov made 31 saves as Saskatoon clobbered Moose Jaw 7-1. Makarov has now backboned the Blades to wins in 15 consecutive starts, allowing one goal or fewer 10 times along the way. The WHL's leader with 31 wins, Makarov enters the stretch run with a 2.46 GAA (5th in league) and .923 save% (4th). The Blades will put their franchise record winning streak on the line Tuesday with a tough test at Red Deer.

In Finland, Joel Armia saw his four-game point streak halted as Assat extended their winning steak to 10 games with a 4-0 shutout of Lukko. The victory vaults the surging Aces into fourth place in the SM-liiga standings. Armia has 16 goals and 29 points heading into Tuesday's tilt with KalPa.

Elsewhere, Colin Jacobs (-2) picked up an assist as Prince George was
dumped by Portland 6-1. Jacobs finishes the week with 22 goals and 44 points, equaling his previous bests posted in 2010-11 as a member of the Seattle T-Birds. Losers of four straight, the Cougars are off
until Friday when they host Kamloops.

Logan Nelson (-1) was unable to generate any offense as Victoria lost for the second straight night to Kelowna 7-2. Nelson got in his first scrap of the year, taking on 17-year old Riley Stadel late in the third period. 2014 eligible Tyson Baillie notched a goal and an assist for the winners. The Royals will look to snap a six-game winless skid on Wednesday versus Lethbridge.

In the OHL, Brady Austin was a minus-one was Belleville earned a 5-2 victory over Peterborough. The red-hot Bulls will put their eight-game winning streak on the line Sunday at Ottawa.

Alex Lepkowski logged an even rating as Barrie snapped a four-game losing streak with a 2-0 shutout of Guelph. The Colts enter the week atop the OHL's Central Division with 78 points, trailing Belleville by two for the first overall spot in the Eastern Conference.

Christian Isackson recorded two shots on goal as No. 2 Minnesota played to a 2-2 tie with Minnesota-Duluth. The Gophers, who earned three of four available points with the in-state rivals, will close out the home portion of the regular season schedule next weekend when they host Denver.

In the USHL, Judd Peterson missed his third game with a left arm injury as Cedar Rapids was doubled by Dubuque 4-2. The two clubs will play a rematch Friday.

In Sweden, Linus Ullmark was the reserve goaltender as MODO was blanked at Farjestads 3-0. MODO battles Rogle on Tuesday.